Visit www.cpsc.gov for information.

Nationwide, nearly 181,500 children (ages 14 and under) were treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries last year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Do you know what toys are safe for your child? When evaluating the ones you are considering this year, remember to:

• Consider the child’s age, interests and skill level. Look for quality in design and construction, and follow age and safety recommendations on labels.
• Consider purchasing a small parts tester (also known as a choke tube) to determine whether small toys may present a choking hazard to children under the age of three. Small parts testers or choke tubes can be purchased at toy or baby specialty stores.
• Check the National Safe Kids Campaign web site, www.safekids.org, for updates and information on recent toy recalls.
• Avoid toys with sharp points or edges, toys that produce loud sounds, or projectiles (ie. darts, firing rockets).
• Avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than seven inches that may pose a risk for strangulation.
• Avoid electric-powered toys with heating elements for children under the age of eight.
• Avoid cap guns as the caps they use can be ignited by the slightest friction and can cause serious burns.

Article provided by Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, Washington Township Fire Department.

Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS (Liaison to the Fire Department Community) – Alan’s career in the fire service spans more than 30 years. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of numerous similar safety organizations. Alan consults with numerous fire departments throughout Ohio and in 2005 was chosen by the Ohio Department of Health as the fire service member on the Ohio School Inspection Advisory Committee. He was also awarded Ohio Fire Official of the Year in 2009 by the Ohio Building Officials Association. Alan is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department in Dublin, Ohio.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses.

To help your children reduce their risk of drowning, review these important water safety guidelines with them:

• Swim only if a lifeguard or adult give your permission.
• Follow the posted rules such as Danger, No diving, or No swimming.
• Always swim with a buddy. If you get tired or need any help, a buddy may be able to help or find help.
• Before swimming in an unfamiliar place, check with a lifeguard or adult to see how deep the water is. Unless you know how to swim, never go in water in which you can’t maintain your chest and head above the surface while standing.
• Never jump or dive unless the lifeguard or an adult says it’s OK to do so. Enter the water feet-first the first time instead of diving.
• Don’t eat candy or chew gum when swimming. You could choke.
• Never swim at night. Darkness can hide dangerous obstacles and, if you are injured, darkness makes it more difficult for rescue workers to find and help you.
• Get out of the water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning.
• When on a boat, children and adults should wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Should you fall into the water, PFDs help keep you afloat with your head out of the water. Having your head out of the water helps maintain your body temperature and will make it easier for others to see you so they can provide help. Air-filled swimming aids are no substitute for a PFD and should never be used instead of a PFD.
• Learn to float, tread water, and swim. Having these skills can decrease your chance of drowning should you accidentally find yourself in water over your head.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

•     Do not smoke while fueling; gasoline is very explosive.

•     Wait for the motor or engine to cool before refueling. Never fill the gas tank completely. Leave space at the top of the tank as heat causes gasoline to expand and fire can result if the gas spills onto the hot engine. Wipe up spilled fuel immediately as it can easily ignite when the engine is started. Never fuel a running mower.

Mower Safety is a Must

•     Store gasoline in approved containers with tight-fitting lids—never in glass or unapproved plastic containers.

•     Do not store gasoline in the house. An open flame, spark, or pilot light such as those in water heaters or other appliances can ignite the fuel vapors.

•     Check electric mower cords for frayed or damaged places. Make certain that the cord is plugged into a grounded outlet. Pulling the frayed cord while on damp or wet grass can cause lethal shocks or severe electrical burns.

•     Leave blade sharpening and electric repairs to professionals.

•     If you do your own cleaning and tune-up, disconnect the spark plug or remove it before beginning. If a blade is turned by hand, the mower can start if the spark plug is still intact.

•     Do not operate a gasoline mower in an enclosed room while making adjustments or repairs. Gasoline engines give off toxic exhaust fumes containing carbon monoxide.

•     Never leave a running lawnmower unattended.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Bags of candy? Check.

Halloween decorations? Check.

The countdown to Halloween is well underway but here are a few considerations for your checklist before you send your little ghosts and goblins out for the evening:

How safe is the costume? Many boys love dressing up as the Grim Reaper or some ghoul but be sure if their costume is all black that you put a few pieces of light-reflective tape on the front and back of their costume. (To make it “cool” you can design it as some symbol or wording) You can also purchase some glow bracelets or necklaces. Most schools won’t allow them to bring any weapon, spear or walking stick to school so find out first what’s permissible.

Try to use make-up rather than a mask for your kids. A mask can slip making it hard for them to see as they’re walking and also the rubber or plastic inside the mask can make it hard for them to breathe.

Be sure that if the costume is floor length that’s it’s not so long it and can cause them to trip. Check for loose cords or strings around their neck that could get caught on something as they’re walking.

Are they ready to go it alone? At some point it just won’t be cool to be out trick-or-treating with mom or dad. So how do you know if they’re ready to go out on their own? A lot depends on where they are going. An apartment building or housing community located on a cul-de-sac is much safer than a busy road or remote area where there’s little lighting and the homes are spread out. Consider driving them to a housing complex where you wait at the end of the street while they go trick-or-treating. Be sure you know their route, who they are going out with (always go in a group) and they have a cell phone in case of an emergency. Establish a curfew and a few times that they must check in with you.

Host a party – Rather than having them go out trick-or-treating, consider hosting a party. You’ll know where they are, who they’re with and can monitor what they eat.

Check the loot – Kids should be reminded to only eat candy that’s unopened and in its original wrapper. Children under five years of age should not be allowed to eat hard candy, caramels, popcorn or items with nuts as these are all choking hazards.

Most importantly, remind your child never to get into a car with someone they don’t know. If someone approaches them, and they feel at all uncomfortable, explain to them that they should go to the nearest well-lit home and ring the doorbell.

Posted by Alison Rhodes, also known as the The Safety Mom , has exploded onto the national scene as the preeminent voice on safety, wellness and healthy living. From environmental toxins and healthy eating to sports injuries and cyber bullying, The Safety Mom is always on the lookout for the issues facing children – newborns to teens – as well as the entire family.  Children, Family

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Safety Tips and Cooling Programs help Residents Enjoy a Healthier and Safer Summer:

As the thermometer rises this summer, so does the risk of suffering from a heat related illness.  While anyone can suffer from a heat related illness, extreme heat is particularly dangerous to young children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.  But according to Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long and Franklin County Board of Health Commissioner Susan Tilgner, a few heat safety tips can protect and help everyone maintain good health, as the heat index rises.

In extreme heat and humidity, the health commissioners offer the following tips to stay cool and safe:

• Drink plenty of water – do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Stay inside in air conditioning whenever possible.  If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theatres, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool.
• Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
• Eat light meals.
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing and a hat.
• Stay in the shade.
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

Heat related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can strike at any time.  Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, headache, absence of perspiration and dry, hot flushed skin.  Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

In addition to these safety tips, Long and Tilgner also note that cooling assistance programs are available to qualifying people from several community organizations:

For more information on summer cooling programs or heat safety, visit the Columbus Public Health Web site at  www.publichealth.columbus.gov or the Franklin County Board of Health site at www.franklincountyohio.gov/health.

Article credits: Courtesy of Press Release by the Columbus Public Health & Franklin County Board of Health. For more information, please contact: Jose Rodriguez at (614) 645-6928 jrrodriguez@columbus.gov or contact Mitzi Kline at (614) 462-3028 mrkline@franklincountyohio.gov.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Every year the Home Safety Council promotes the month of June as “National Safety Month“, with an initiative that focuses on heightening awareness of important safety issues. Safety is a huge concern for everyone, particularly our aging parents and grandparents. The public is challenged to make their homes a safer place by assessing for the risks of the five leading causes of home injury: falls, poisoning, fires and burns, choking/suffocation, and drowing. The Home Safety Council website has many helpful resources on home safety tips for different situations for older adults and other populations.

Also, this month, AARP is launching an effort to protect individuals from common household calamities with their “30 for 30” home safety tips – providing 30 daily safety facts and tips. For each day in the month of June, “30 for 30″ provides a fact or tip for ensuring a safer home.

For example:

• Did you know that 65,000 barbecue grill fires cause as much as $27 million in property losses each year?  Have you thought about moving your grill a little farther from the house?
• Did you know that most falls in homes happen in the bathroom, not on the stairs?
• Did you know that cooking-related fires are the leading cause of injuries among people 65 years of age and older?  Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking and use a timer to remind yourself to check food you have in the oven.
• Did you know that more people are injured using hand tools than power tools?
• Did you know that each year approximately 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths occur in U.S. homes due to scalding from excessively hot tap water?  To help avoid this, adjust the temperature setting of your home hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, or consider installing temperature limiting faucets on bathtubs, showers, and sinks.
• Did you know that each year an average of 20,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with garage doors?
• Did you know that many houses and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains high lead levels and lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose serious health hazards if not take care of properly?

The facts connected with each of the “30 for 30″ tips suggest specific preventative actions.  The entire list of 30 tips and facts is available at www.aarp.org.

Credits: www.aarp.org and www.homesafetycouncil.org

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.